Antiques Roadshow expert impressed by ‘one of the most exquisite items in the show’s history’ worth a life-changing sum – gasps ‘that’s a miracle!’

An Antiques Roadshow expert was surprised by one of the most unique and valuable items in the show’s history.

During an episode earlier this month, appraiser Cristian Beadman was impressed by a guest’s prized item that “glittered in the sun.”

During the BBC show, which was presented from Thirlestane Castle, Scotland, one hopeful brought a small music box to be judged by the team of experts.

And Cristian was delighted to view the heirloom, telling the guest: ‘This is certainly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my ten years at the Antiques Roadshow. Glistening in the sun, like a jewel.’

The interested antique appraiser then asked the man to reveal what had initially drawn him to the cabinet and he was told that the guest was an avid music box collector.

He then told the expert that it was a Swiss singing birdwatcher box from more than 150 years ago.

An Antiques Roadshow expert was floored by one of the most expensive items in the show’s history, brought in by an avid Swiss box collector

The guest revealed to appraiser Cristian Beadman that the item was a Swiss singing bird machine box from over 150 years ago

Cristian was delighted to view the heirloom and told the guest: ‘This is certainly one of the most exquisite things I have ever seen in my ten years on the Antiques Roadshow. Glistening in the sun, like a jewel.’

He explained that it was created in the early 19th century by the famous Rochat brothers, who made hundreds of the impressive little music boxes.

And Cristian’s joy didn’t end there when he discovered that the collector had brought the original carrying case of the music box.

He could barely contain his excitement and eagerly asked the guest if he could see how it worked.

The guest was happy to help and pulled down a small lever on the box, behind which was hidden a colorful 3D bird, which began to open its mouth and flap its wings while beautiful chirping sounds played.

And it wasn’t just the expert who was impressed, as the crowd gasped and cooed over the beautiful antiques.

A woman in the crowd could be heard saying: “Oh my God” before Cristian burst out: “Utterly exquisite, utterly exquisite.”

He then told the gathered crowd that the item was almost 200 years old and was still in near-perfect condition.

He said, “There’s not a feather out of place. There is no chip on this box. This one, as I can see, is made from the shell of the hawksbill turtle.

The guest explained that the box was made in the early 19th century by the famous Rochat brothers, who made a hundred of the impressive little music boxes.

The guest admitted that an auctioneer at the time had told him it was one of the best they had ever sold and that it had cost him £9,000 when he bought it almost 20 years ago.

Cristian told the guest that his purchase was a good investment as the Swiss singing box was now likely to fetch £40,000 at auction

‘It has been protected since the 1970s, but this is of course much older.’

And the box was full of intricate details, including a small enamel painting of an Alpine scene surrounded by a gold frame.

The guest admitted that an auctioneer at the time had told him it was one of the best they had ever sold and that it had cost him £9,000 when he bought it almost 20 years ago.

Cristian then revealed that the guest was wise to hold on to the amazing music box and that Swiss boxes continued to rise in price.

He told the man, “Even though it seems like a lot of money we spent almost twenty years ago, funnily enough, it was a good investment.

‘I think you could realistically expect the best example ever to come onto the market to fetch somewhere between £20,000 and £40,000.’

Despite the staggering amount the box was worth, the impressed guest said he wouldn’t sell it.

He told the appraiser, “It’s passed down through my family because they love it. It’s not just about the money, it’s very special to me.’

Before the expert responded wistfully: “I’ll never see one like that again, that’s a miracle, thank you.”

This is not the first time that an item on Antiques Roadshow has fetched an eye-watering sum. Last week a guest was left speechless when she discovered the incredible value of her £18 painting that she almost donated to charity

The expert revealed that her painting would now be worth between £3,000 and £5,000.’

This is not the first time that an item on Antiques Roadshow has fetched an eye-watering sum.

Last week a guest was left speechless when she discovered the incredible value of her £18 painting that she almost donated to charity.

The expert was surprised by the unexpected discovery and commented: ‘So of all the paintings I didn’t expect to see here at Cromford Mills in Derbyshire is a painting by an artist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pili Pili Mulongoy. ‘

Revealing the price she paid, the guest said: ‘I think I paid about £18 for it, it was only about six years ago.’

‘I had my eye on a print from this collection of paintings and, as I said, on the way home I donated a few to a local charity shop as I didn’t want them all.’

As he continued, the expert said, “But you crucially saved this one. Okay, was the £18 well spent?’

‘To be honest, if this went under the hammer today I wouldn’t be surprised if it fetched between £3,000 and £5,000.’

The crowd gasped at the expert’s shocking revelation and the owner shouted “No!” in disbelief.